Fundraising FoxToronto · Pre-Seed–Seed · 19 people tracked
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Investment thesis
OCI acts as an ecosystem connector in Ontario, driving economic growth and job creation through investments in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies. It supports the commercialization of academic intellectual property, fosters industry-academic collaborations, and invests in early-stage projects with strong commercial potential. OCI's expertise in de-risking innovation helps attract private investors, including angel and venture capital funders, to new ventures. Most OCI programs require industry partners to co-invest. The organization also focuses on talent retention and deploys Business Development Managers to connect researchers with industry. It targets sectors prioritized by Ontario's leadership and operates technology platforms such as 5G testbeds and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network.
Source: firm website, verified Oct 5, 2026.
Team · 19 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 19 of 27 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×11Biotech ×7Healthtech ×7Medical Devices ×7Deep Tech ×6Digital Health ×4SaaS ×4Enterprise Software ×3
HQs:Canada×13
Who they back
founder profiles across 8 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×42 founders×23 founders×2
What their founders studiedfrom 11 founders with field-of-study data
Business & Management ×4Life Sciences ×4Computer Science ×2Engineering ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 10 founders with career history
Enactus uOttawa ×2Hamilton Health Sciences ×2McMaster University ×2St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton ×2
Investments · 27 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 12024 · 12023 · 12022 · 14 dated
PhenoTips develops software tools for genomic care that enable patients, doctors, and researchers to collaborate on diagnosis and treatment of genetic conditions.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesSaaSToronto, CA
Pawel Buczkowicz(Chief Operating Officer)in
Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programsThin Air LabsToronto Innovation Acceleration PartnersGreenSky Ventures
Cone Labs develops AI-powered software for structural engineers to perform building condition assessments, converting field inspection data into high-resolution 3D models and semantic analysis of building conditions.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingConstruction TechEnterprise SoftwareRoboticsEtobicoke, CA
Ahmed M.(Founder)in
Co-investorsGurtin VenturesScale Shift VenturesSpatial CapitalTechstarsWaterloo Accelerator CentreMaRS+1 more
Crewscope provides AI-powered field intelligence for construction site management, enabling real-time visibility of crew operations through SMS-based communication without requiring apps or login.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Calvin Benchimol(Co-founder CEO)inEhsan Foroughi(Co-founder CTO)in
Co-investorsArchangel Network of FundsDMZ VenturesFuturesightGroundBreak VenturesOntario Centre of Innovation programs
Esphera designs transgenes that enable budding exosomes to carry multimeric proteins for therapeutic applications, with initial focus on modifying tumor-derived exosomes to create immunostimulatory cancer vaccines.
BiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesToronto, CA
Brian Lichty(Founder, CEO)inCarolina Ilkow(Founder, CSO)inJohn Bell(Founder, President)in
Co-investorsFACIT (Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust)Ontario Centre of Innovation programs
Growcer provides modular growing infrastructure and ecosystem support to enable communities to produce fresh food year-round locally.
AgTechFoodTechHardwareImpact & Social Good
Corey Ellis(Co-founder)inAlida Burke(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsMaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF)Ontario Centre of Innovation programsSheBoot
Kare Chemical Technologies is a pharmaceutical technology company using a patented catalytic process to convert limonene, a citrus by-product, into high-purity CB1 and CB2 receptor ligands for drug development.
BiotechCleantechDeep TechMedical DevicesNew MaterialsMississauga, CA
Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs
LoopX develops "Physical AI" perception systems—combining Vision AI, LiDAR, RF, and edge computing—for collision avoidance, productivity monitoring, and boom safety on mining equipment.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechIoT
Chao Yu, PhD(Founder)in
Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programsWaterloo Accelerator Centre
Marlow makes organic, toxin-free and sustainable period care products designed for menstruating consumers.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFemTechCanada, CA
Nadia Ladak(Founder)in
Co-investorsConnecticut InnovationsOntario Centre of Innovation programsUCeed FundsAngels of Many
mDETECT develops methylation- and NGS-based liquid biopsy tests to monitor metastatic cancer, aimed at clinical validation and commercial diagnostic use.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechDigital HealthMedical DevicesKingston, CA
Christopher Mueller(President and CEO)Irsa Wiginton(Business Development Officer)inKeira Frosst(Scientific Officer)in
Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs
myStoria builds tools that help reproductive health patients organize their medical history and arrive at appointments better informed and prepared.
Digital HealthFemTechHealthtech
Jessica(Founder)
Co-investorsArchangel Network of FundsGraphite VenturesOntario Centre of Innovation programs
NodeAI is a healthcare-focused company that builds algorithms and runs clinical trials with the aim of raising the standard of medical care.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesToronto, CA
Waël Hanna(Co-Founder / President & Chief Medical Officer)inAnthony Gatti(Co-Founder / Chief Technology Officer)inMackensey Bacon(Co-Founder / Chief Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsFACIT (Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust)Ontario Centre of Innovation programs
Paradox Immuno develops a platform for discovering therapies targeting protein misfolding diseases, leveraging proprietary research and lead identification technology to address rare conditions with no existing treatments.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHealthtech
Yulong Sun, PhD(Founder)in
Co-investorsBeresford VenturesOntario Centre of Innovation programs
Perch is a home monitoring app that turns a spare phone, tablet, laptop or webcam into a live home camera.
Co-investorsBackstage CapitalEmles Venture PartnersEvolution VC PartnersArborview CapitalBEST FundsBoston Seed Capital+3 more
QEA (QEA Tech) performs AI- and drone-based building envelope audits that quantify energy loss and R-values to guide retrofit planning for real estate owners and portfolio managers.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechPropTech
Co-investorsClean Energy VentureYork Angel Investors Inc.Avesta Fund
Script Runner provides AI-powered prescription logistics software for pharmacies and hospitals, automating delivery workflows and last-mile fulfillment while ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.
HealthtechLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSToronto, CA
Co-investorsHustle FundOntario Centre of Innovation programs
Stoked Bio is a drug discovery company developing new medicines against drug-resistant diseases, using AI-guided methods to identify novel molecules.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep Tech
Co-investorsAltitude AngelsOntario Centre of Innovation programs
Synakis develops ocular biomaterials, including its lead candidate SNK-125, through pre-clinical research and a pipeline of eye-related products.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesToronto, CA
Thierry Nivaggioli(CEO)in
Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs
Innovation Factory (iF) is a not-for-profit business accelerator in Ontario, Canada that provides technology startups and scaling companies with mentorship, workshops, funding and investment guidance, IP programming, pitch competitions, and networking, all at no cost and without taking equity.
Enterprise SoftwareHamilton, CA
Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs
Talin is an AI co-pilot for staffing and recruiting agencies that automates outbound recruiting, candidate shortlisting, and sales prospecting, integrating with existing ATS and CRM systems.
AI & Machine LearningHR TechSaaS
Co-investorsDMZ VenturesLong Way VenturesCascade Seed Fund
Tenomix develops intelligent automation technology for cancer diagnostics and healthcare labs to improve diagnostic speed and accuracy while addressing staffing shortages and rising patient caseloads.
AI & Machine LearningHealthtechMedical DevicesRoboticsLondon, CA
Dr. (unnamed - identified as founder with Ph.D. in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)(Founder & CEO)Dr. (unnamed - identified as physician-scientist with MD and PhD)(Co-founder)
Co-investorsFACIT (Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust)
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
BoomGuardBrooklyn HealthCementation AmericasCntrl+Moonrise MedicalMyomar Molecular Inc.RxFood
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesPhenoTips · betakit.com · Oct 8, 2025
Crewscope · crewscope.com · Aug 14, 2025
QEA Tech · qeatech.com · Aug 13, 2025
Growcer · betakit.com · Jul 28, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Ontario Centre of Innovation made?
- Ontario Centre of Innovation has 27 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Ontario Centre of Innovation invest at?
- Ontario Centre of Innovation invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is Ontario Centre of Innovation's typical check size?
- Ontario Centre of Innovation typically writes checks of $500K.
- What sectors does Ontario Centre of Innovation focus on?
- Ontario Centre of Innovation focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AgTech, AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Cleantech, Deep Tech, Digital Health, Energy, FemTech, Healthtech, Medical Devices, Mobility & Transportation, New Materials, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Ontario Centre of Innovation located?
- Ontario Centre of Innovation is headquartered in Toronto, CA.
- Does Ontario Centre of Innovation lead rounds?
- Ontario Centre of Innovation typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does Ontario Centre of Innovation co-invest with?
- Ontario Centre of Innovation most often shares deals with Ontario Centre of Innovation programs, Archangel Network of Funds, FACIT (Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust), among 24 tracked co-investors.
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